ANIMAL WELLNESS
AnimalWELLNESS For a long, healthy life!
Holiday Issue
TOP 10
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS for you and your dog
30+ GIFT
HUMAN TOUCH
IDEAS!
Why dogs thrive on it
Say NO to
GMO
Genetically modified ingredients may harm his health
WHY DOES MY DOG
Fran Drescher
A LIVELY little Pomeranian helped this actress through a FRIGHTENING cancer ordeal – and TAUGHT her an important lesson about LIFE and LOVE
LICK ME?
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Leo
Remembering
A TRIBUTE TO A VERY SPECIAL KITTY
VOLUME 14 ISSUE 6
AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
BONUS FELINE SECTION NOW INSIDE! animal feline wellness
61
Contents December 2012/January 2013
FEATURES
18 CST FOR CANINES
Cranial sacral therapy is a gentle hands-on form of energy healing. It’s very subtle and simple, yet it can have profound effects.
22 DOG-FRIENDLY TRANSPORT
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Shopping for a new vehicle? Don’t forget to factor in your best friend’s safety and comfort.
26 STOMACH SAVER
Digestive issues are common during the holidays, when dogs sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. This simple acupressure session helps ease minor upsets and gets your pooch back in the festive spirit.
29 A PASSION FOR DOGS
This innovative company not only sells healthcare products for pooches but also offers a spectrum of informative resources on all things canine.
30 A FRESH START
Top 10 New Year’s resolutions for keeping your dog healthy and happy in 2013 and beyond.
34 CAN I TREAT THIS MYSELF?
How to handle 5 common canine health problems – and determine whether it’s okay to treat them at home or see a veterinarian.
42 PROCEED TO CHECKOUT
Online shopping is easy and convenient, especially during the holidays when stores are crowded and time is at a premium. For a safe and secure experience, keep these tips in mind when ordering gifts for the animal lovers on your list.
50 MENDING BROKEN HEARTS
Thanks to this truly angelic organization, therapy dogs are helping abused and neglected children open up to love, trust and compassion -- and break the cycle of violence.
56 LOVE NEVER DIES
How a lively little Pomeranian helped this actress through a frightening ordeal – and taught her an important lesson about life and love.
63 FOR FESTIVE FELINES
These tasty recipes are nutritious and easy to make. What more could you (or your kitty) ask for?
65 STYLISH AND SECURE
Ensuring a kitten’s safety while traveling inspired these designers to create an innovative line of award-winning carriers for animals.
66 FRAZZLED FELINE?
The holidays might be exciting for us, but all the disruption can be upsetting for your cat. Here’s how to help her get through the season without stress.
44 LEND HIM A HAND
Dogs don’t just tolerate human touch – most thrive on it. In fact, the way we touch our dogs profoundly impacts the way they view and interact with the world.
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animal wellness
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68 LOVE LETTER FOR LEO
One woman’s tribute to her special feline friend.
70 FLYING WITH FELINES
Taking to the air this holiday season? If your cat is going too, these tips will help him stay safe and comfortable.
74 SAYING NO TO GMO
Have you realized your dog’s health may be at risk from genetically modified ingredients? Here’s what you need to know.
76 BLOG ABOUT DOGS (AND CATS)
They’re an increasingly popular way to inform and connect with fellow animal lovers online. Creating, maintaining and growing a successful blog takes dedication and hard work, but it’s also fun and rewarding.
82 OCEANS OF WELLNESS
It’s not just seaweed. Kelp is packed with nutrients and is just as good for dogs as it is for us.
84 DON’T LICK MY FACE Does your dog like to give you and your guests tongue baths? An animal behavior consultant offers advice on why she does this, and how to deter her.
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COLUMNS 12
Yakkity yak
80
Warm & fuzzy
86
Passages
89
Book reviews
98
Tail end
82 DEPARTMENTS 8
Editorial
48
Product picks
59
Animal Wellness Resource Guide
88
The scoop
91
Events Calendar
92
Animal Wellness Marketplace
96
Classifieds
66 animal wellness
5
Stomach saver
by Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis
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animal wellness
Digestive issues are common during the holiday season, when dogs sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. This simple acupressure session can help ease minor upsets and get your pooch back in the festive spirit.
T
he alluring aroma of a holiday turkey roasting in the oven becomes even more irresistible when it’s sitting on the kitchen counter or dining table before carving. Many a wily canine has seized such an opportunity to sample the bird for himself. Or maybe a well-meaning visitor gives your dog a generous handful of cheese balls or potato chips – after all, he just looked so cute! He may enjoy the treats, but the diarrhea, vomiting and other symptoms that can result later will definitely dampen your holiday spirits.
tract. Other holiday foods, like the cheese balls and chips, tend to be too rich, while candies and cookies are too sugary, and vegetable platters too high in fiber. And some foods, like chocolate or raisins, are downright toxic to dogs.
Like their wolf ancestors, domesticated canines are designed to devour huge quantities at once. The only issue is that roast turkey and cheese balls are very different from a freshly hunted rabbit. Our household canines have the same digestive enzymes as a wolf, and can easily manage raw meat, but cooked and processed foods often present serious difficulties.
Your intention in offering your dog an acupressure session to restore the nat�ral flow of chi and body fluids is to relieve his stomachache and/or resolve loose stools.
Cooked bones are brittle, and when a dog chomps on them the jagged broken pieces can seriously injure his gastrointestinal
Acupressure can soothe minor upsets With vigilance and care, you most likely won’t be faced with such an emergency. But even a little treat here and there can result in short-term tummy upsets and loose stools. To help your dog recover quickly from a small holiday indulgence, consider acupressure. Continued on page 28.
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When you need a vet
During the holidays, be alert to what your dog is ingesting. If you suspect he has swallowed something that may obstruct his intestines, such as a small toy or decoration, or has consumed a toxic plant or some chocolate, please take him to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. A veterinarian is the first line of defense in any emergency situation.
TP
RO D U C TS
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